Looking for a career? County College of Morris offering free health care training

The state estimates Morris County will add 5,000 health care- and social services jobs by 2020. Do you want one of those jobs?

Barbara Mathews is a recent graduate of the Health Professions Pathways program at the County College of Morris. Photo:CCM

If you’re a low-income resident, you may qualify for free training at the County College of Morris. The federally funded program, Health Professions Pathways Grants, has trained 300 people over the last three years, in nearly a dozen fields. Courses range from three weeks to a year.

“This program has helped me…get the education that I was never able to obtain and to work in the field that I have always wanted to work in. This is something I have only ever dreamed of and the CCM Pathways Program has made it possible for one of my many dreams to come true,” Barbara Mathews said in a statement.

Mathews is doing an externship at Madison Internal Medicine in Morristown, after completing the Certified Medical Assistant program at CCM. The timing was fortunate: She had been a victim of corporate downsizing, and her ailing mother needed care.

Below are more details about Pathways grants, and how to apply for them.

FROM THE COUNTY COLLEGE OF MORRIS:

Randolph, NJ — County College of Morris (CCM) has provided health care training to more than 300 low-income residents of Morris County over the past three years and is actively seeking more applicants for Health Professions Pathways Grants. The federally funded program, which offers training to people that cannot afford tuition, is helping to fill in-demand health care positions.

According to The New Jersey Department of Labor, the health care and social services industry is expected to add more than 5,000 jobs in Morris County between 2010 and 2020. Hospitals and other health care facilities need qualified candidates to fill their positions, but many require certified training.

Through the Health Professions Pathways Grants program, CCM offers certified training for more than 10 health care jobs, Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, Certified Medical Coding and Billing Specialists and dental radiographic technicians. Programs vary in length from three weeks up to a year, depending on the field of study.

John Johnson, Site Coordinator for the Northern New Jersey Health Professions Pathways Grant program at CCM, recognizes Mary Davis for the completion of Health Pathways Grant programs at a special CCM ceremony. Photo: CCM

“We know that people in Morris County impacted by the economic downturn or other circumstances need help finding good jobs, so the Pathways Grant Program is allowing us to help others pursue their dreams through these tuition-free programs in the high-growth health care sector,” said John Johnson, Site Coordinator for the Northern New Jersey Health Professions Pathways Grant program at CCM.

This grant was developed specifically to help recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance or other low-income individuals who qualify, by reducing financial and other barriers to education and training in a wide-range of health care occupations. According to students and faculty, the program is making a notable difference in people’s lives.

After company layoffs led to unemployment and needing to care for her sick mother, Barbara Mathews pursued and completed the Certified Medical Assistant program through the Pathways Grant Program at CCM. She is currently doing her externship at Madison Internal Medicine in Morristown.

“This program has helped me in so many ways,” Mathews said. “It has helped me get the education that I was never able to obtain and to work in the field that I have always wanted to work in. This is something I have only ever dreamed of and the CCM Pathways Program has made it possible for one of my many dreams to come true.”

Renee Dawkins, who completed Certified Medication Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant training said, “The CCM Pathways program has been such a help. It has opened up so many opportunities for me. It really helps people like me financially, people who wouldn’t be able to afford to go to school otherwise.”

In addition to the cost-free tuition offered, funding for related expenses, such as transportation, tutoring, books, uniforms, study guides, exam and license fees and even child care may be provided through subsidies.

Left to Right – CCM health program students Nikki Kufall, Jessica Andre, Ximena Olsen, and Ashley Vega. Photo: CCM

“We are so proud to help individuals fulfill their potential through the Health Pathways Grant Program, and are excited to connect people who have completed the program to great employers in the area. There are still many grants available, and we encourage individuals to contact CCM about these opportunities,” said Johnson.

The college has specially trained staff to assist individuals through the process from determining whether they are eligible to selecting courses and finding jobs. CCM hosts regular pre-application information sessions at CCM’s main campus that are free to attend. Classes and on-site training are held at CCM, Morris County School of Technology, Morristown Medical Center and at Saint Clare’s Hospital.

To inform people about the program CCM is working with nonprofits, health care facilities and other local resources. For more information about the program and eligibility requirements contact CCM at 973-328-2490 or visit www.ccm.edu/healthgrant.

About Northern New Jersey Health Professions Pathways Grant Program

County College of Morris (CCM) offers no-cost training through the Health Professions Pathway Grant that can help individuals start a career in health care. The Northern NJ Health Professions Pathways Grant, provided through the Northern NJ Health Professions Consortium (NNJHPC), is designed to reduce roadblocks and help individuals and their families obtain education, training and employment in a wide-range of health care occupations. NNJHPC is a region-wide capacity building initiative to strengthen and expand occupational training in health care through workforce readiness and integrated basic skills preparation for individuals receiving TANF, General Assistance or other low-income individuals, who meet the eligibility requirements. For more information, visit http://www.ccm.edu/healthgrant.

About County College of Morris

Located in Randolph Township on more than 200 acres, County College of Morris (CCM) and its satellite location in Morristown provides the residents of Morris County and the surrounding region with an outstanding, affordable education. Today, CCM offers more than 70 associate degree and more than 40 certificate and certification programs. The college also has one of the highest graduation and transfer rates among community colleges in New Jersey. Take the time to review our website to find out all that CCM has to offer at http://www.ccm.edu/.